Looking back over these notes there is not much said about Champagne and sparkling wines. I quaffed them like water many years back but interest has waned and seldom drink them now, apart from the odd glass to start a restaurant meal. I recently tried a few bottles of Cofield Tumbarumba Pinot Noir Chardonnay and found it well made with pleasing though simple flavours displaying a fruity, lightness, over the palate that makes it quite charming, a feature you would expect from the cool climate of Tumbarumba.

Then a series of cool climate chardonnays which do have a future as long as winemakers can stop themselves from attempting masterpieces to resemble Montrachet. First up, a Yarra Burn Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2008 which displays some tricks though enough of the simple joy of the fruit still shines. However, while of interest, the wine will not turn heads. A lift in quality came from the Stonier KBS Vineyard Mornington Chardonnay 2005 which was remarkably youthful and had interesting, complex features. Even better was a Coldstream Hills Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2007 and is worth recommending.

To the reds and a Bowen Estate Coonawarra Shiraz 2006 which was very good and a pleasant change to my steady diet of warmer climate reds. Back to a warmer area with a Pirramimma McLaren Vale Petit Verdot 2003 which was of interest though the finish is a bit tough and is recommended only for those who chase discoveries and have a fair wine knowledge. As a variety petit verdot has some lovely tastes and we find 5-10% in a blend really firms up the wine. Pirramimma was an early pioneer with a 100% varietal and have been making this wine for over a decade. Then to finish, a commanding wine the Peter Lehman Eight Songs Barossa Valley Shiraz 2004 which delivers a huge tasty mouthful but is a bit four-square in the final assessment.

Correction: In a recent "What We Drank" I made reference to Redmans being wholly owned by Constellation (Hardy's). Constellation have informed me that this is not correct and they only have a sales and marketing agreement with the Redman family who are still very much involved at the vineyard and wine making end of the business. Apologies all around.

Liquor Licensing Act 1997: It is an offence to sell or supply liquor to a person under the age of 18 years, or to obtain liquor on behalf of a person under the age of 18 years.All transactions in $AUD.
This web site is operated by Glug Management Company Pty Ltd ABN: 64 116 647 780 Licence No: 51401128